BRITISH DRIVERS FORCED TO TAKE SPANISH DRIVING TEST.

British Drivers Forced To Take Spanish Driving Test

British Drivers Forced To Take Spanish Driving Test. Any British person wanting to drive in Spain after Brexit will have to take a mandatory Spanish driving test.

British Drivers Forced To Take Spanish Driving Test

The British Government has advised all British expats in Spain to transfer their driving licences to Spanish documents before Brexit happens. However, the Costa Del Sol authorities have announced that it’s no longer a case of simply transferring a licence, all drivers will now have to take a Spanish driving test. The new rules don’t just apply to Brits to living in Spain, they will apply to anyone from Britain who drives here, including tourists.

The Junta De Andalucia are saying that these tests are not a reaction to Brexit, they are part of an ongoing initiative to improve road safety in the province. A statement from the Upper Marbella Lower Parliamentary Body Responsible For Releasing Statements Unlikely To Ever Be Printed says “The timing is coincidental. The British Government are telling people to get a Spanish licence before Brexit, we’re just doing our best to make that as complicated and expensive as possible.”

The new measures will mean that every British expat or holiday maker who wishes to drive in Andalucia will have no option but to sit an independent driving test in Spain. Upon passing the test, a temporary license will be issued by the Andalucian Road Safety Executive. This license will remain valid for a period of 12 months.

Increasing Road Safety

Senor Marco Aletas De Barro is the chief executive of the regional government’s British Expat Drivers Persecution Committee. He says “We have had no choice but to introduce mandatory tests for British drivers here on the Costa Del Sol. There are too many accidents every year on our roads, and nearly all of them involve British drivers. Thanks to Brexit, we can now do something about it”.

“Everyone knows that Spanish drivers are the safest in Europe”, Sr. Aletas De Batto continued. “We don’t blame the Brits for their dreadful driving, the fault lies with the DVLA and their terribly low standards. By introducing these tests, we can teach British drivers how to behave on our roads, and increase safety for everyone”.

Driving Test For Expats And Tourists

The new test for British drivers can be taken at any town hall in the province, by appointment only. It will comprise a theory element which covers everything from traffic light systems, driving on the right side of the road, local speed limits, and vehicle maintenance. The practical part of the test will include motorway driving, roundabout navigation, town centre driving skills, and appropriate hand gestures. Appointments will be made available from the 1st August.

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Prices For The New Tests

The mandatory tests will be introduced on the 29th March 2019, when Brexit is scheduled to take place. Residents will need to make an appointment at their local town hall to sit the theory test, which will cost €199. Upon completion of this, an appointment can be made to sit the practical test. This will cost between €321 and €329 depending upon the location. When this has been successfully completed, the driver will be issued with a license which will permit driving in Spain. This annual license will cost €30.

Tourists who wish to hire a car will have to follow a different procedure. Upon arrival at Malaga Airport or the new Malaga Merida Airport, visitors must present themselves at the driving test registration desk where they will be able to sit the theory test followed by a fast track practical test. The total cost for this, including the license, will be €520.

Police Checkpoints

National Police and the Guardia Civil will be on the lookout for British drivers who haven’t passed the new tests. They will have the power to seize vehicles and impose on the spot fines to anyone caught without the correct license. Car hire firms will also be subject to fines if they are found to be leasing vehicles to unlicensed drivers.

Fierce Opposition

The news of these tests has been met by fierce opposition from British expats on the Costa Del Sol. Anne Fernandez represents a Facebook group of expats who express their outrage on everything from Brexit to appropriate footwear in fast food restaurants. She told Costa Del Sol Update “My members will be outraged by this. This is a disgrace. It’s a rip off, lining the pockets of the local government at the expense of hard working expats who rely on benefits being sent over from the UK. We need to get a Spanish licence after Brexit, but there are no appointments available until August. What are supposed to do? Walk???”

MORRIS BOGBRUSH lives in Estepona but is originally from Birmingham. He told us “I’m froM IRELAND actually, not Birmingham. This is a disgrace, there is nothing wrong with British drivers. It’s the Spanish who should be taking more tests. Are you still listening to me? Are you awake? It’s my accent, it sends people to sleep”.

Are you happy to be taking the new driving tests? Have your say in the comments section below.